All The Buzz! Governor Polis Welcomes New Pollinators to the Governor’s Mansion

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis welcomed new pollinators to the Governor's Residence with the installment of "Bee Hotels," artificial structures designed to attract and provide long-term nesting for bees. Bee Hotels are a lasting investment into Colorado's ecosystem to protect pollinators in Colorado's metro areas and protect Colorado's environment.

"The bees are already busy gathering pollen. I am very excited to welcome the newest residents to the Governor's Mansion. Bees are hardworking pollinators that play a vital role in balancing Colorado's ecosystem, supporting Colorado producers, protecting our environment, and keeping Colorado's outdoor spaces beautiful and flourishing now and in the future. I encourage every Coloradan to learn more about our pollinators and see how you can take action to foster a healthier environment," said Governor Polis.

In September, Governor Polis took Executive Action to support and protect Colorado pollinators, which play a pivotal role in the great outdoors Coloradans love and the foods producers grow across the state. The Executive Order builds on the Polis administration's past and current efforts to protect pollinators. In 2024, Governor Polis and the Department of Natural Resources unveiled the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study, the most robust and detailed account of Colorado pollinator health. That pollinator report called for actions to protect pollinators at immediate risk, protect and restore pollinator habitats, mitigate environmental impacts to pollinators and habitat, reduce pesticide risk, and monitor pollinator health. Since the release of that report the State has begun to implement strategies to better protect pollinators, including launching the Invertebrate and Rare Plant Initiative at Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) supports pollinators through the Invertebrate and Rare Plant Program, which is using bee hotels, in collaboration with CPW staff, volunteers, and schools, to help monitor cavity-nesting bees across the entire state. In 2026, CPW deployed more than 100 hotels to all corners of the state. These will help CPW better understand where different species live, what resources they depend on, and what environmental stressors impact their health and reproduction.

Colorado is home to more than 1,000 native bee species that play essential roles in supporting wildflowers, agricultural crops, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems. Bee hotels provide nesting habitat for cavity-nesting solitary bees, including mason bees and leafcutter bees. These bees use hollow stems, reeds, and holes in wood to build nests and raise their offspring. Approximately 30% of Colorado's native bee species are cavity-nesting, according to Butterfly Pavilion's conservation team.

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